2013 University Conference Recap

By Emilie Gerhart

The hard work contributed from students of the Student Chapter 877 from the University of Houston produced an excellent event last Spring for the annual South Central University Conference.

Upon registration, students were presented with a backpack filled with goodies, including IIE pin, conference T-shirt, bracelet, university and area information, and an action-packed agenda.

The morning of Friday, Feb. 8, attendees toured nearby Cameron, Cintas and HP plants. Lunch included a keynote address from Cintas representative Dr. Rick Gerlach. After concluding lunch activities, two sets of workshops were held by Paco Martinez from Technetics Group, Dr. Victoria Jordan from MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Barbara Roebuck and Eric Ayanegui from Cintas. Cameron then presented an info session before the Career Fair began. Representatives from Cintas, Cameron and Technetics among others spoke to Career Fair attendees. Breaking for the evening, conference attendees were welcome to explore the Houston nightlife.

Saturday morning began with a welcome from IIE presented by Michael Foss. The conclusion of the welcome message led to the anticipated Technical Paper Competition. Presenters Ajay Reddy from Oklahoma State University, Justin Whisenant from Oklahoma State University, Dale J. Le Bar from Wichita State University, Ashraf Hammouri from Wichita State University, Nolan Randolph from University of Oklahoma, and Jordan Bever from Kansas State University were judged by Eric Ayanegui from Cintas, Jose Longoria from Cameron, and Dr. Eylem Tekin from the University of Houston.

At the completion of all technical paper presentations, attendees broke for lunch and returned in the afternoon for a volleyball tournament to inspire team building between the chapters at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

The final event of the conference approached, and several anticipated speakers were invited to speak at the Awards Banquet. Dr. Gino Lim holds the chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Houston. Dr. Lim shed light about the department and the creative work that IE’s perform in Houston. Dr. Kim Needy, current president of the IIE Board of Trustees, provided an inspiring message urging attendees to forever identify with industrial engineering and, most importantly, IIE membership. Following the valuable words presented, the Technical Paper Competition winners were revealed. Jordan Bever from Kansas State was recognized with first place, Justin Ryan Whisenant from Oklahoma State received second place acknowledgement, and Dale J. Le Bar from Wichita State earned a third place nod from the judges. Congratulations to these recognized students, and well done to all paper submitters.

Let us also thank the University of Houston Chapter 877 students for an experience to remember, and be on the lookout for upcoming University Conference details.